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Outdoors

Things to Do With Your Dog this Spring in Virginia Beach

Spring in Virginia Beach is basically a playground for pets and their humans. From beach runs to bay splashes and plenty of trails in between, there’s no shortage of ways to explore together. Whether your pup is into fetch, hiking or attempting to outshine you on a SUP board, they’re always part of the adventure here. With plenty of pet-friendly places to stay, bringing your four-legged sidekick along is kind of a no-brainer.

Go For a Walk on The Beach or Boardwalk

A smiling corgi sits on a ledge at the beach, wearing a striped harness, with a statue of Poseidon in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A smiling corgi sits on a ledge at the beach, wearing a striped harness, with a statue of Poseidon in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

@waffle.the.wigglebutt, Instagram

From Labor Day to Memorial Day,dogs are welcomed for a walk at any time on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk or encouraged to get a little sandy off-leash on any of our beaches. During the summer months, pooches are still welcomed to frolic along the beaches of the Oceanfront North End, Sandbridge and the Chesapeake Bay beach before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. And remember to be polite and always clean up after them.

Explore Town Center

Dog in a bathtub with soap on its head, wearing a patterned bandana. Tiled wall and shampoo bottles in the background.
Dog in a bathtub with soap on its head, wearing a patterned bandana. Tiled wall and shampoo bottles in the background.

Photo Credit: Town Center of Virginia Beach | Location: Dogtopia

From a day at the doggie spa at Dogtopia, to a menu catering to our four-legged friends at Tupelo Honey, and even one our favorite local parks tucked away in the heart of the district, there are over 20 pet-friendly businesses to explore at Town Center

Head to a Brewery

Black and gray dog lying under a wooden picnic table on a sunny patio, with a blue leash attached.
Black and gray dog lying under a wooden picnic table on a sunny patio, with a blue leash attached.

When you’re in need of a pint or two, the open interiors and outdoor patios at some of our favorite local breweries, like Commonwealth Brewing and Smartmouth Pilot House, are great spots to enjoy some local brews with your dog by your side.

Spend a Day at the Park

A chocolate lab puppy sits on a person's lap on a sandy beach by a calm lake. The person wears jeans and a red plaid shirt. Trees are visible in the background.
A chocolate lab puppy sits on a person’s lap on a sandy beach by a calm lake. The person wears jeans and a red plaid shirt. Trees are visible in the background.

From state parks to dog parks, there are plenty of spots to let Fido run off some of that puppy energy! The dog park at Red Wing Metro Park is a great spot to let your dog run off-leash and maybe make a few new canine friends while he’s at it. For you, avid walkers and runners, the Spanish moss-adorned First Landing State Park provides scenic trails to explore side by side with your faithful companion. They’ll especially love the mix of trails, sandy spots and abundance of open water, making for a fun and unexpected hike.

Fetch A Bite to Eat

Check out Salty Paws, in Chic’s Beach, offering lactose-free, dog-friendly ice cream, cookies and treats for your fur buddy.

Three dogs stand on a wooden deck. One dog, wearing sunglasses, is near a table with a folded napkin.
Three dogs stand on a wooden deck. One dog, wearing sunglasses, is near a table with a folded napkin.

@simple_eats_vb, Instagram

You can also grab a bite at the pet-friendly patios at Abbey Road Pub and Froggies Cantina by the Bay, and on Simple Eats’ “Doggie Deck”. Afterward, cure your sweet tooth by digging into a dessert atBruster’s Real Ice Cream or the Skinny Dip Frozen Yogurt, both of which offer a doggie dessert that your furry friend will surely devour.  

Whether on vacation or just living the life year-round with us, everything’s better with man’s best friend by your side. From our beaches to our parks, our furry friends have plenty to wag their tails about in Virginia Beach, both on in the spring months and beyond.

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  • Pets
  • Spring